American Samoa will also receive an additional $1,482,000 for the purchase of emergency respond equipment, for costs related to planning, conducting and evaluating chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) terrorism exercises, to establish CBRNE-related awareness level training capabilities in the territory, and for administrative and planning costs associated within the ODP State Homeland Security Grant Program and updating and implementing the State Homeland Security Strategy. 

         “This has come about as a result of Congress passing the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Act of 2003.  On April 3, 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed by a vote of 414-12 to pass the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Act.  This means that the majority of Democrats and Republicans voted in support of the bill and the Senate later agreed during Conference to its provisions.  On April 12, 2003, the bill was cleared for White House consideration and the President signed the Act into law on April 16, 2003.” 

         “On July 8, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security announced that States and Territories could begin to receive their share of funding.  These funds are non-competitive.  In other words, ASG will only have to fill out some paperwork to receive its funds but will not have to compete against other States or Territories for federal aid.”

         “Like my colleagues, I am pleased that Congress was able to provide these funds which will help every State and Territory in its efforts to defend our homeland.  As I have said before, all federal funding to ASG is appropriated through Congress and no matter who makes announcements that certain federal agencies are giving money to American Samoa, the truth is the real work is done in Congress.”

         “Simply put, the President makes a request and Congress decides how much money each federal agency gets.  For the most part, Congress also decides how much money each agency is to set aside for every State and Territory, including American Samoa,” Faleomavaega said.  “Put another way, no federal agency can distribute money to the States or Territories without authorization from Congress.”

         “This is why every single year I work to make sure that our needs are known and that American Samoa is included in every appropriation bill that Congress submits to the President for purposes of funding our federal agencies.  This includes all bills which provide funding for homeland security, education, health care, our roads and highways, and the Pago Pago International Airport, to name a few.”

         “In the past seven years, I am pleased to say that Congress has agreed to give American Samoa more than a billion dollars in federal aid.  In March of this year, Congress, through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), sent nearly $2.6 million for purposes of repairing our airport runway and for the purchase of a sweeper to keep our runway clear of debris.  As of yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation notified my office that ASG will be receiving $1,750,000 to construct an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) training facility at the Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa.”

         “At this time, I want to thank the FAA for working closely with my office to get inspectors to our airport and for working with our local leaders to get the runway open as quickly as possible.  I also want to commend Governor Togiola for his efforts and leadership.  I am thankful that this crisis has been resolved and above all I am grateful that our people have been kept safe.”

         “I also want to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate, both Democrat and Republican, for supporting my efforts to make sure that American Samoa receives its fair share of federal funds.  I also want to thank the people of American Samoa for their continued support and prayers.  At a time when our nation faces serious unemployment and budget cuts,” Congressman Faleomavaega said, “you have my promise that I will do everything I can to protect our interests and build our future.”